Roku is exploring ways to show consumers ads on its TVs even when they are not using its streaming platform: The company has been looking into injecting ads into the video feeds of third-party devices connected to its TVs, according to a recent patent filing.

This way, when an owner of a Roku TV takes a short break from playing a game on their Xbox, or streaming something on an Apple TV device connected to the TV set, Roku would use that break to show ads. Roku engineers have even explored ways to figure out what the consumer is doing with their TV-connected device in order to display relevant advertising.

  • andyburke@fedia.io
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    7 months ago

    Used to recommend Roku to others. I will never buy anything from them or recommend them to anyone again.

    Someday maybe boards will figure out that “business” people have no idea what they are doing.

    • Semi-Hemi-Lemmygod@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Boards only understand “line go up” or “line go down.” If something turns off a few weirdos like us but it lets them sell access to millions of eyeballs they’ll do it.

      They’d step over their own dying mother to make a buck.

      • digdug@kbin.social
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        7 months ago

        I mean, if she’s already dying, what’s the issue here? I’m losing money if I have to stop and call 911, when she has a perfectly good phone to do it herself.

      • andyburke@fedia.io
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        7 months ago

        History is littered with companies that decided they should “milk” their customers instead of providing new and innovative products. They usually don’t last all that long, but you’re right that the current board members might not gaf about any kind of longer term existence.

        • Semi-Hemi-Lemmygod@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          That may have been true in the past, but we’re in a corporate fuedal system now, with a bunch of little fiefdoms we can’t escape ruled by people who wish they had the rizz of Henry VIII or Louis XVI

    • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      I’ve always found their monetization strategy icky. Their remotes, with streaming service ads on them, always made me feel gross. Especially since those services change every couple years, and you get stuck with remotes plugging stupid services like Blockbuster and Redbox.

    • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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      7 months ago

      They know what they’re doing! Maximizing share price for the next quarter while they jump ship… It’s legitimately disgusting.

    • InvaderDJ@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      To be fair, this is just a patent, not Roku saying they will do this. But if they do, then absolutely.